Tape dispenser



Oct; 24, 1967 H. E. BUTLER 3,348,524

TAPE DISPENSER Filed Feb. 12, 1964 [77 VG?) 2'70? Henry E. But/er "by Z. 17/15 flzf'orfne y United States Patent Filed Feb. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 344,347 Claims. (Cl. 118-43) This invention relates to an improved dispenser for pressure-sensitive tapes of the type usually furnished in rolls wrapped on a cylindrical core, and more particularly, it relates to an improved device for severing selected lengths of pressure-sensitive tape from the roll while providing the severed ends of the tape with tab portions whereon the pressure-sensitive adhesive has been modified in order to allow ease of handling,

Various types of dispensers for pressure-sensitive tape are known which incorporate a smooth or serrated cutt ng edge for severing a selected length of tape after'it has been drawn from the roll. These dispensers may be of the desk type with a spindle for holding the core on which the tape is wrapped, or they may be separate pocket type devices adapted to be attached to the roll in some manner and detached when needed.

Pressure-sensitive tapes, when referred to herein, include cellophane tapes, either of the transparent or apaque kind, friction tape, surgical tape, etc. These normally have a backing strip coated on one side only with adhesive and have the common shortcoming that oftentimes the loose end becomes reattached to the roll and is difiicult to remove. This is particularly evident in very thin transparent cellophane tapes, where, in addition to being difficult to remove, the end of the roll may become almost impossible to locate. If a portable or pocket type dispenser is desired, the known types employ protrudingmembers to hold the end of the tape, these often being incorporated with jagged or dangerous protruding cutting edges.

Oftentimes it would be desirable to provide the end of a piece of severed tape with a tab portion which is either less adhesive than the remainder of the tape or is substantially non-adhesive. Such a tab portion can be employed for various purposes such as providing ease in handling where a container is to be sealed, opened and rescaled a number of times. For example, a severed piece of tape with a tab portion for handling can be employed to seal and reseal the wrapper flap for a loaf of bread. In the case of transparent tapes the tab portion should preferably be colored in order that it may be easily located.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved tape dispenser which incorporates a cutting edge together with means to furnish an end of the severed tape with a tab portion which is substantially less adhesive than the tape proper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tape dispenser with means to mark and modify the end of a roll of pressure-sensitive tape so that it may be easily located and grasped.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved and compact pocket tape dispenser which will be available for use as often as required, .thereby increasing tape consumption.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved tape dispenser which will furnish selected lengths of tape having tab portions which are easily located and easily handled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tape dispenser of the desk type with a spindle for holding a roll of tape, which incorporates means for furnishing selected lengths of tape having tab portions or no tab portions, as desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description,

ice

taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. lis a side elevation view, partly in section, showing the preferred form of the dispenser in a portable unit, together with a roll of tape and protective cover,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along lines IIII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view of a roll of tape with protective cover removed, as it appears after using the pocket dispenser,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the preferred pocket form of dispenser,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention for a desk type dispenser, v

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a supplementary cutter blade, and Q v i v FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the supplementary cutter.

Briefly stated the invention is practiced by providing the pressuresensitive tape dispenser with a suitable cutting edge. Disposed adjacent the cutter, so as to come in contact with at leastone adhesive surface of the tape as it is severed on the cutter, is a member having a looselv bound material on its outer surface. This material will partially or wholly smother the adhesive on the tap where it comes in contact with the member. Preferably the member comprises a colored fibrous loosely matted substance such as blotting paper, however it can also consist of chalk. The dispenser in its preferred form has the cutter and the adjacent fibrous mat disposed on a resilient open ring which will slip inside the roll of tape for removal when needed.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a roll 1 of superimposed layers of pressure-sensitive tape is wound on a cylindrical core member 2 having a circular opening 3 in its center. The tape may be any of the well-known types of commercially available pressure-sensitive tapes, such as Scotch brand tape (Registered U.S. Trademark), manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. For instance, the tape shown represents a transparent tape having adhesive disposed on one side of a thin strip of cellophane backing material.

A protective elastic cover 4 of rubber or plastic is arranged to fit over the outside circumference of the roll 1, as well as having thinner beveled annular side flanges 5 (see FIG. 2) extending radially inward to protect the edges of the interfaces between layers of tape.

Disposed inside the opening 3 of the core member is an open expansible ring 6, preferably made of spring metal, but which could also be made of any resilient material such as plastic. The width of ring 6 is the same as, or slightly smaller than the transverse dimension of the roll of tape, so that it can be compressed slightly by squeezing with the fingers and slipped inside the core 3 without any portion of it protruding from the sides of the roll. Ring 6, when unfleXed, is slightly larger than the circular opening 3, so that it will nest firmly inside when inserted. It is also within the purview of the invention to employ other types of annular members, for instance of relatively non-resilient material, with tabs or clips which will cooperate with the core 3 to hold the annular member nested within the roll of tape when not in use. Such equivalent structures will be known to those skilled in the art.

One end of ring 6 is formed so as to provide a recess or receptacle 7 for holding a mass of loosely bound material 8, such as blotting paper or chalk. One terminating end of the ring is provided with a serrated cutting edge 9. The other terminating end 10 of the ring is circumferentially spaced from cutting edge 9 by a substantial distance so that the tip of the finger or thumb can sever the tape by depressing the thumb nail on the tape radially inward close to the backof thecutting edge 9.

Reference to FIG. 2 of the drawing shows that the ring 6 is completely within the roll with no protruding members. It also illustrates the placement of the protective cover 4 and how the roll of tape with the nested dispenser forms a compact package suitable for pocket or purse.

The mass of loosely bound material 8 may take several forms and is selected from materials having the following criteria. The material must have a self-renewing surface, i.e., when a portion of its surface is removed by the adhesive of the tape, it must again present substantially the same sort of surface to the next piece of tape. To meet this requirement it is preferably made up of discrete particles or fibers which are loosely bound together in a mat or matrix. The binding materials is strong enough to hold the discrete units (particles or fibers) together during normal handling, but weak enough to allow an outer layer to be removed by the adhesive.

Secondly, the particles or fibers are of a material which will at least partially smother the adhesive and make it substantially less adhesive than before. This quality can be partly controlled by the strength of the binder, since a loose binder will allow a greater number of discrete units of surface material to be removed.

Lastly, where the dispenser is to be employed with transparent tape, the material is colored or opaque so as to coat the adhesive in such a manner that it can be distinguished from the remainder of the tape.

I have found that all of the above qualities are well satisfied by ordinary colored blotting paper wound into a tight roll and fitted within receptacle 7 of ring 6. However any fibrous matted material having binding material permitting the easy detachment of fibers would also be suitable. I do not wish to limit the invention to fibrous materials, since any member having a matrix of loosely bound particles, such as a standard chalk roll would perform an equivalent smothering action.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawing, the roll 1 of tape is shown with the end 11 of the tape as it might appear after removal of the cover 4 and before removal of the dispenser for use. The end 11, rather than having become reattached to the roll, as is so often the case, is free and easily identifiable because of the colored fibers smothering the adhesive and also making it easy to find.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing, the operation of the dispenser is illustrated. The ring 6 is slid out of the core and positioned as shown. A selected length of tape is drawn off the roll onto the outer surface of ring 6. This is done by aflixing the end of the tape to the proper place on the ring and rotating it while holding the tab in place. Suitable markings 12 on the ring 6 permit ease of selection of the precise length of tape desired. As the ring is rotated clockwise with the fingers to draw the tape off the roll, the adhesive surface will come in contact with both the cutting edge 9 and the mass of loosely bound material 8, the latter being arranged so that it protrudes upward slightly from the recess 7. Next the thumb presses the tape radially inward into the gap between the cutter 9 and the spaced end 19 of ring 6 to sever the tape. In so doing, the adhesive of the portion of the tape still attached to the roll firmly contacts the mass of loosely bound material 8. When it is withdrawn it pulls off fibers or particles which partially smother the adhesive and mark the end of the roll so that it appears as it did before the operation started.

It will be noted that the piece of tape severed will also have a tab portion 13 from a previous operation. This may be used to handle the severed piece and is very useful in the event the severed piece is to be rehandled several times. For example, I have found that pieces of tape so equipped with a tab portion may be used to seal containers such as envelopes or food packages, such as bread wrappers, which are to be reopened and resealed. However the quality of the partially smothered adhesive surface is such that it may still be attached by very firm pressure, i.e., it is still sensitive to attachment by pressure if enough pressure is employed. The type of material 8 selected determines the residuum of adhesivity left.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawing, a modified form of the invention in a desk type dispenser comprises a housing 14 having a spindle (not shown) holding a roll 15 of pressure-sensitive tape so that it may be peeled off by pulling the free end away from the spindle according to a construction well known in the art. A stationary serrated cutter element 17 is attached to prorude from housing 14 so'that the tape can be drawn down across the serrations to sever it.

Disposed between jaws 18, which may conveniently comprise portions of cutter element 17, is a mass of loosely bound material 19 selected according to the same criteria as the previously mentioned member 8 of FIG,

1. The member 18 is closely adjacent the teeth of cutter 17 and is elevated so that downward pressure to sever the tape also causes the tape to press against the member as before.

A supplementary cutter element 20 is also provided for masking the member '19 when desired. As shown'in FIG. 6, this supplementary cutter element comprises a flat plate 21 of a size sufficient to mask member 1% and which includes cutting serrations 22. Parallel legs 23 with bent terminating ends 24 serve to hold the cutting ele ment 20 in opposed holes 25 of the housing, so that the supplementary cutter will pivot.

Reference to FIG. 7 shows the supplementary cutter 20 pivoted into position for severing a piece of tape, so as to obtain 'a piece with no tab portion. However the usual use of the dispenser is with the supplementary cutter 20 retracted as shown in FIG. 5. This latter mode of operation has the advantage of providing a severed piece of tape with a tab portion for the uses outlined previously. It also has the important advantage of serving to color the adhesive and mark the end of the roll. Thus, as is very often the case, where the tape becomes accidentally detached from the cutter 17, where it is normally supposed to remain between uses, the end of the tape can easily and expeditiously be located.

While the invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that many modifications of the invention are possible once its principle is understood. Therefore it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A dispenser for use with a roll of pressure-sensitive tape defining a circular opening in the center of the roll, comprising:

an open expansible ring of resilient strip material having a transverse dimension no greater than that of said roll and having opposite terminating ends circumferentially spaced from one another, said ring being adapted for insertion into said opening, one of said terminating ends defining a concave recess terminating in cutting serrations, and

a mat of loosely bound fibers disposed on the outside of said ring in said recess and adjacent said serrations.

2. A disperser for use with a roll of pressure-sensitive tape defining a circular opening in the center of the roll, comprising:

a first semicircular member adapted for insertion into said opening and being of resilient material for holding it in place, said member being of a transverse dimension no greater than that of the roll when in place,

a cutting element defined by one end of said first member for severing a selected length of tape by transverse pressure on the tape adjacent the cutting element, and

a second member comprising loosely bound discrete units of adhesive smothering material disposed on the first member adjacent said cutting element and arranged to contact the adhesive on the portion of tape attached to the roll as severance takes place.

terial disposed in said recess so as to contact and at least partially smother the tape as it is severed by pressure adjacent said serrations.

3. A dispenser for use with a roll of transparent pressuresensitive tape defining a cylindrical opening in the center of the roll, comprising:

an Open expansible open ring of resilient material comprising a strip formed in a partial circle, the terminating ends of said strip being spaced from one another and one of said terminating ends defining cutting serrations, the width of said strip being substantially that of said tap roll, said strip also being formed to define a recess adjacent the serrations and open toward in a partial circle so as to be insertable into the center of a tape roll by compressing and releasing, one end of said strip being curved radially inward and outward to define a recess therein open toward the the outside of the ring, and

a member comprising colored blotting paper disposed in said recess and extending so as to contact the adhesive on the tape when it is severed against said serrations.

4. A dispenser for pressure-sensitive tape, comprising:

means for holding a cutting element comprising an open expansible ring of resilient strip material having one end bent radially inward and outward to define a recess and terminating in a plurality of cutting serrations, the other end of said ring being spaced from said serrations to enable severance of the tape by radial inward pressure against the tape, and

a member comprising loosely bound fibrous matted m-a- 10 outside of the ring and terminating in a plurality of cutting serrations facing radially outward to enable severance of the tape 'by radial inward pressure against the serrations.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,279,960 9/1918 Anable 11843 1,837,180 12/1931 Bennett et a1.

2,302,179 11/ 1942 Bronfman.

2,555,747 6/1951 Josselyn 118-43 3,109,570 11/ 1963 Maddalena 225-89 X 3,144,185 8/1964 Shirejian 225-91 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

J. P. MCINTOSH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSER FOR USE WITH A ROLL OF PRESSURE-SENSITIVE TAPE DEFINING A CIRCULAR OPENING IN THE CENTER OF THE ROLL, COMPRISING: AN OPEN EXPANSIBLE RING OF RESILIENT STRIP MATERIAL HAVING A TRANSVERSE DIMENSION NO GREATER THAN THAT OF SAID ROLL AND HAVING OPPOSITE TERMINATING ENDS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER, SAID RING BEING ADAPTED FOR INSERTION INTO SAID OPENING, ONE OF SAID TERMINATING ENDS DEFINING A CONCAVE RECESS TERMINATING A CUTTING SERRATIONS, AND A MAT OF LOOSELY BOUND FIBERS DISPOSED ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID RING IN SAID RECESS AND ADJACENT SAID SERRATIONS. 